UNDP Jobs - 37490- Forest Management and Conservation Specialist (

Forest Management and Conservation Specialist (For Ghanaian Nationals Only)

Location :

Accra, GHANA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2013

Application Deadline :

24-May-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The overall objective of this project is to create the institutional systems, tools and policies to rehabilitate cocoa landscapes, conserve and expand forests, forest buffer zones and corridors and incentivize cocoa farmers to adopt environmentally friendly best practices. The project will work to address key policy issues that pose major environmental threats to sustainable cocoa landscapes and strengthened cocoa sector institutions to formulate policies to promote environmental sustainability in the cocoa sector. Other key project outcomes would include the rehabilitation of cocoa landscapes, forest conservation, training and capacity building for cocoa farmers and communities to adopt environmental best practices in their work. Furthermore, the project would pilot mechanisms that serve as incentives for farmers to adopt environmentally sound production practices resulting in the rejuvenation of ecosystem goods and services and on-farm biodiversity and increase productivity. The principal target groups under the project are community-based organizations (CBOs), local authorities and institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and farmers. However, the benefits will extend beyond these groups to the wider society.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Forest Management and Conservation Specialist is expected to have a strong Environmental and Natural Resources Management background with specialization in Forestry, with a good understanding of Ghana’s cocoa supply chain, its actors and the principal environmental issues facing the sector. Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, he/she will be responsible for providing critical technical input on cocoa policy with particular focus on forestry and conservation (tree tenure, ecosystem conservation, environmental data management, etc), the creation of a sustainable cocoa landscapes (deforestation, forest regeneration, REDD+, sustainable community forest management, etc) and advising how the project can develop incentive mechanisms to encourage cocoa farmers to adopt environmental best practices. In particular, the Forest Management and Conservation Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, supporting the following areas:

Policy research

Understand, comprehend, and produce necessary knowledge materials on important national/institutional natural resources and conservation policies that have environmental implications to the cocoa sector;
Provide guidance to policy issues with respect to forestry and diversity, conservation and analysis of issues that are affecting the cocoa sector i.e. tree tenure, land use planning etc,;
Familiar with forestry and wildlife policy Technical advisory and project implementation
Provide technical advice on forest related project activities to ensure that the activities in each output area are timely, efficiently and effectively implemented in accordance with the project document and work plan;
Liaise with relevant members of staff, consultants, UNDP expert technical staff, COCOBOD, and Forestry Commission as necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of project outputs;
Support timely submission of project/progress reports. Results/Deliverables The Forest Management and Conservation Specialist shall work in close cooperation with other members of the Project Management Unit and staffs from COCOBOD, UNDP, relevant ministries and institutions as appropriate to implement and guide activities related to the execution of the project. In particular he/she will be responsible and expected to deliver the following:
Coordinate closely with Project Coordinator and PMU in the evaluation and selection of pilot sites guided by other project requirements;
Provide organizational strengthening and training in environmental sustainable practices to participating communities, COCOBOD and other stakeholders; - Provide outreach and build the capacity of pilot communities, traditional authorities, COCOBOD and other stakeholders to understand national mechanisms,
policies, and international markets for REDD based carbon investments;
Facilitate development and implementation of high quality carbon sequestration pilots in selected landscape verified to the Voluntary Carbon Standard or Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard or other as appropriate, including the administrative and institutional arrangement framework for the sale of carbon credits and reinvestment and distribution of revenues;
Lead in discussions with relevant institutions to eliminate ambiguities related to tree tenure and certification and assist farmers to secure tenure rights to newly established tree plantings and existing old forest timber trees located on their farms;
Collaborate with COCOBOD and other relevant institutions to determine the most appropriate way forward for developing various institutional tools and systems for environmental management in Ghana’s cocoa sector to improve data compilation, usage and interpretation;
Prepare scope of work documents and oversee consultants and local service providers as required; - Work with communities to develop sustainable forest management plans and establish Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) and Conversation Advisory Boards to improve community livelihoods, coordinate community conservation plans that encourage the rehabilitation and protection of forest and watersheds - Conduct a review of forest conservation activities in the various forest zones, the different community conservation plans and current rates of deforestation and establish a baseline for forest conservation in cocoa growing regions in Ghana;
Work closely with the Forestry Commission to monitor forest encroachment in forest zones and other critical ecosystems and prepare appropriate reports;
Coordinate and support a tree nursery development model for the propagation and distribution of selected economic timber and herbaceous understory species to farmers;
Prepare progress reports as required by UNDP/COCOBOD and donor project reporting schedules;
Any other assignment relevant to this position.

Competencies

Leadership:

Ability to lead processes by coaching, persuading and accommodating other opinions and positions with a positive attitude;

Management skills:

Ability to plan, monitor progress, and work effectively with counterparts to realize goals;

Facilitation skills:

Ability to effectively coordinate a multi-stakeholder project, facilitate meetings and processes effectively, compile complex and technical information in an understandable language to a wide variety of audiences;

Results-orientation:

Skill in achieving results through persuading, influencing and collaboration;

Conflict resolution skills:

Ability to dissipate and resolve conflicts as they arise;
Analytical skills: Ability to draw conclusions based on a contextual examination of facts and processes.

Communication skills:

Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;

Easiness with IT:

Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of applications of the ArcGIS (Geographic Information System), MS Office package, internet search.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

This position requires a strong background (at least at M.Sc.) in Environmental Management, Forestry, or Natural Resource Management.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant experience in Ghana’s forestry sector.
Experience and/or familiarity with environmental management systems, agroforestry practice and GIS and other data management tools and systems would be an asset.
Ability to communicate complex information in understandable and relevant terms adapted for different stakeholders especially communities.
Proven project coordination skills with ability to effectively manage and prioritize a diverse workload within a team.

Language Requirements:

An excellent command of English is essential.

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake field work. This position carries considerable responsibility and autonomy and requires good organizational capacity, good interpersonal and networking skills and a willingness to work as part of a team.